Why can't I run for long?

[jombo]

I last played football four years ago and I was overweight. I couldn't run for 10 seconds without nearly passing out (maybe exaggeration there) so I decided to lose weight. I lost touch with football but continued to lose weight and now I'm at a good weight. Last September I played for the first time since I decided to lose weight yet I still couldn't run far at all without basically panting. I stopped playing again and continued two weeks ago in which I still couldn't run far at all, and after a while of jogging/running (obviously football isn't 24/7 running) my muscles just lose everything and I have to stop. I ended up having a hamstring issue for just under two weeks, and since it was better I decided to try again today, two weeks to the day since I last played. I still couldn't run far, and after pushing myself I just fell over. What can I do to make myself run longer? I'm typing this an hour after returning and my legs are throbbing. Thanks!

edit: I eat healthy and I drink water only, too.

[MechaSniper]

Try going at a slower pace. And try timeing yourself. Push yourself 5 min more a week .

[mrpieface2]

Don't push yourself. If you have to stop running, stop. You might want to talk to the doctor. You might have a heart problem if you find yourself exhausted all the time

[jombo]

Don't push yourself. If you have to stop running, stop. You might want to talk to the doctor. You might have a heart problem if you find yourself exhausted all the time

The pain is nowhere near my heart. I get pain in my legs only.

[xandyx]

You have to work yourself up very slowly to running long and far. Just be patient, you'll get there. 2 weeks is way to short to see much difference. Maybe try the Couch to 5K program and app. It works good for beginners from what I've heard. I think it's like 12 weeks long and still that's super fast. Usually it takes people years to run super long distances.

Edit: Also if your to heavy you probably shouldn't try running until you lose more weight. It could be causing your injury or could cause others. Also don't forget to stretch! It's almost as important as running.

[mrpieface2]

The pain is nowhere near my heart. I get pain in my legs only.

That means nothing about your heart. I'm not saying you'll get chest pains. I'm saying that people that, no matter what they do to be healthy, exercise or play a sport and get really exhausted and fall over and stuff might have a weaker heart.

[jombo]

That means nothing about your heart. I'm not saying you'll get chest pains. I'm saying that people that, no matter what they do to be healthy, exercise or play a sport and get really exhausted and fall over and stuff might have a weaker heart.

It's not a heart problem.
You have to work yourself up very slowly to running long and far. Just be patient, you'll get there. 2 weeks is way to short to see much difference. Maybe try the Couch to 5K program and app. It works good for beginners from what I've heard. I think it's like 12 weeks long and still that's super fast. Usually it takes people years to run super long distances.

Edit: Also if your to heavy you probably shouldn't try running until you lose more weight. It could be causing your injury or could cause others. Also don't forget to stretch! It's almost as important as running.
Everyone I know, who have only played a bit more than me, still can run more. I can't for some reason. My muscles also ache an incredible amount.
I've lost a lot of weight, only 10 stone 6 and 5 ft 8 now. It's in the average zone.

[mrpieface2]

Okay. Well like I said, don't push yourself to hard! Keep exercising

[Dalcourt]

when it's not a health issue of some kind, it doesn't necessarily be the heart, could be something else...the only thing you can do is trying to slowly increase your exercises ...it may take some time till you can run better, just take your time and don't overdo it.

[ninja789]

it doesn't sound like you have really used your legs for like four years
this could be the problem. Have you been exercising regularly?

[jombo]

it doesn't sound like you have really used your legs for like four years
this could be the problem. Have you been exercising regularly?

Walked at least 6 miles every week

[ninja789]

Walked at least 6 miles every week

I wouldn't really say that is enough if you are wanting to jump straight back into American football. From what I have seen it is very intense bursts of explosive energy. You are saying at least 6 miles so I will be generous and round that up to 1 mile a day (we all have lazy days where we do hardly anything). If it were me I would be wanting to build up running to around a 2 mile course at least twice a week before I would consider jumping back into a sport like that. By building up the amount you use the muscles in your legs for running their strength will come back and you will be less likely to feel pain. But hey, I'm no expert on A football being from the UK :P

[LunarScorpio]

Just because you are an average weight doesn't mean that you are fit and healthy. Work at it, take it easy at first, jog slowly along a flat surface, slow to a walk every 5 minutes for 2 minutes and then repeat it. If you feel at all unwell, stop.

And also always stretch at the end

[Meganium]

Just work on your stamina by slowing your pace and increasing your run time by a couple minutes at a time.

And don't be so quick to deny that your heart may not be strong enough for you to handle extended running. I had a heart related disease as a child that screwed me up, yet I can run fairly well now. Regardless of your problem, it can most likely be resolved with time and work.

[jombo]

I wouldn't really say that is enough if you are wanting to jump straight back into American football. From what I have seen it is very intense bursts of explosive energy. You are saying at least 6 miles so I will be generous and round that up to 1 mile a day (we all have lazy days where we do hardly anything). If it were me I would be wanting to build up running to around a 2 mile course at least twice a week before I would consider jumping back into a sport like that. By building up the amount you use the muscles in your legs for running their strength will come back and you will be less likely to feel pain. But hey, I'm no expert on A football being from the UK :P

I mean UK football! Soccer!

[ninja789]

I mean UK football! Soccer!

hahaha ok
yeah you really need to start running then

[jombo]

hahaha ok
yeah you really need to start running then

It's a shame. I expected the weight loss would increase my stamina but it's seemingly no different. I'll keep trying at it though, hopefully it gets better!

[ninja789]

It's a shame. I expected the weight loss would increase my stamina but it's seemingly no different. I'll keep trying at it though, hopefully it gets better!

weight loss doesn't affect your stamina
the fittest guy in my year (bleep test wies at least) weighs over 100kg
I think it should be easier to build up though

[jombo]

weight loss doesn't affect your stamina
the fittest guy in my year (bleep test wies at least) weighs over 100kg
I think it should be easier to build up though

Indeed, I'll keep at it! My determination is pretty good :P Thanks a lot! :)

[ninja789]

Indeed, I'll keep at it! My determination is pretty good :P Thanks a lot! :)

no problem
good luck :)

[Jenny3]

If you can't run, start with walking. Take brisk walks of say half an hour, later try to run for a minute, walk for 5 minutes (6 times)... Then try to run 2 minutes and walk 4... Do it like that, slowly, until you feel comfortable. You can make your endurance better just take it slow :) http://www.herinterest.com/8-best-fitness-tips-ever/

[laurakitty]

Do u have athsma hun

[Saint]

Get involved in more burst training workouts/HIIT. they have the explosiveness that you need to train for football,and it helps in sprinting. You want to get fit overall,not just by running. Getting on a simple athletic approach type of program is a great idea. it's not always about the weight,muscle is something that helps fuel your runs too.